As the waters recede across the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley following recent floods, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is ready to help communities recover.
This week, the NSW and Australian Governments made a disaster declaration for the area, opening up access to a range of special assistance measures for flood-affected communities, provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
RA personnel are on the ground, working with Councils and government agencies, including Transport for NSW, NSW Public Works and the Environment Protection Authority, to assess impacts and to coordinate any additional funding that may be required.
From Thursday, April 11, flood-affected residents are encouraged to visit the Recovery Centre, located at the Windsor Function Centre, which brings together NSW and local government agencies, community organisations and welfare bodies under one roof.
A smaller, pop-up Recovery Community Hub will also open on Wednesday at the Wilberforce School of Arts.
Multi-agency recovery centres provide access to important support services for disaster-affected individuals, families, farmers and business owners to help them heal and begin the clean-up and recovery process.
Attendees can access mental health first aid and meet with a range of not-for-profits, and Government and community organisations, including:
- Service NSW, including Business Concierges
- NSW Reconstruction Authority
- Hawkesbury City Council
- Legal Aid
The Windsor Function Centre Recovery Centre, at 7 Dight St, Windsor, will open during the following hours:
- 11 April | Thursday – 12 pm – 7 pm
- 12 April | Friday – 10 am to 4 pm
- 13 April | Saturday – 10 am to 4 pm
The Wilberforce School of Arts Recovery Community Hub, at 531 Wilberforce Rd, Wilberforce, will open during the following hours:
- 10 April | Wednesday 9:30 am – 4 pm
Anyone not able to attend can contact Service NSW for remote assistance, with Customer Care specialists available on the phone via 13 77 88.
Donations can be made through the NSW Government’s Official Donation Management Channel.
CEO for NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon APM said that providing face-to-face support is vital in the early stages of recovery. He encourages anyone affected by the recent flood event to visit the Centres and find out what support they may be eligible for.
“I want to assure those affected landowners that the RA is working hard to coordinate the recovery efforts and that we are here for the long haul,” Mr Mal Lanyon said.”
“We are also taking practical steps to ensure a quick cleanup, including lifting the waste levy fee in the Hawkesbury, to allow residents to dispose of flood-affected waste.”
“This is a challenging time for communities in the Hawkesbury, who are no strangers to natural disaster.
“It is important that affected residents in the region get back on their feet as quickly as possible, which is why we’re working quickly to make sure people can access funding and find support they need at our Recovery Centre.”
